The Hold Steady Holds Steady With Heaven

It was hard not to get overly excited for The Hold Steady’s new album, "Heaven Is Whenever." Because after starting with "Stay Positive" and proceeding backwards into "Boys And Girls Of America," "Separation Sunday," and "Almost Killed Me," the itch for some new material becomes relentless. Needless to say, the over excitement took over when "Heaven Is Whenever" started to spin in the CD player. The good thing is, my excitement didn’t turn into disappointment, which sadly happens all too often when listening to long awaited records. Nope, with "Heaven," The Hold Steady delivers with an intelligent album that is well thought out lyrically, musically loud and dominating, while not straying too far from The Hold Steady sound.

The album begins with a slower ballad (or as much of a ballad as you are going to hear from The Hold Steady) in The Sweet Part Of The City. Upon my first listen, my ears were shocked when this song started the album off. In the past it was songs like Constructive Summer and Stuck Between Stations that kicked off Hold Steady records, both loud, fast, upbeat songs that perfectly set a tone for their respective albums. While it was strange to hear a slower song like Sweet Part Of The City start things off, like the previous albums, it set the table perfectly for what is to come.

After the opener, the band kicks back into traditional “rock” mode with songs like Soft In The Center, The Weekenders, and Rock Problems. Out of all the songs on the album, these three sound the most like previous Hold Steady material; Loud guitar riffs, recognizable piano playing, and creative lyrics with some storytelling. From there they slow it down a bit again with We Can Get Together, the best song on album. While it being the best song is merely an opinion, it is also the most impressive song Heaven has to offer. It’s a slower song musically and lyrically, but with a new found finesse and attention to detail, the band is able to create the same intensity that their louder songs create. Lyrically, singer Craig Finn seems to head back to the good ‘ol days when singing “Heaven is whenever we can get together. Sit down on your floor. And listen to your records.” The song isn’t an ode to the past per say, but it’s clear on this one that Finn has the past in the back of his mind.

"Heaven Is Whenever" is The Hold Steady at their best doing what they do best. Therefore, it’s hard to be critical. However, next time around, it’s fair to say that hopefully they step out of their comfort zone a bit more. From the sound of things, this album is the stepping stone to that kind of a project. Heaven has some newer sounding, slower more dramatic tunes on it, and because of that, The Hold Steady is really about to break out of its shell creatively.

Do a quick Google search and it will become apparent that The Hold Steady is one of the most renowned live acts today. Each and every song on Heaven will translate perfectly in the live setting. The louder rock songs will jolt the house per usual and the slower ones will simply add another level of performing and emotion that the crowd can tap in with.

With this album, The Hold Steady shows that they are beginning to consider themselves more than just rock and roll performers, but rock and roll artists as well. In a way, for all Hold Steady fans, this is the perfect record. It contains Hold Steady normalcy for the fans that want more of the same and provides fans craving true new material a taste of the future. Other than a solid rock album, that is what "Heaven Is Whenever" truly is, a taste of the future.